Chapter on the Recommendation of the Night Prayer in Ramadan, namely the tarawih

1187 – Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer, motivated by faith and seeking reward, will have his past sins forgiven.” Agreed upon.

1188 – He (Abu Hurayrah) also said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to encourage the night prayer in Ramadan without making it an obligation. He would say, ‘Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer, motivated by faith and seeking reward, will have his past sins forgiven.’” Narrated by Muslim.

[Commentary]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—states in his Riyad al-Salihin: “Chapter: The Recommendation of the Night Prayer in Ramadan, which is the tarawih.” It is called tarawih because the early righteous generations would stand in prayer throughout Ramadan, prolonging their standing, bowing, and prostration; after every four rak‘ahs (two taslims) they would pause to rest. When they had prayed another four, they would rest again, and then they would pray three (witr). This practice is supported by the earlier hadith of ‘A’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her): “He would pray four—do not ask about how beautiful and how long they were—then he would pray another four—do not ask about how beautiful and how long they were—then he would pray three.”